It is a wet morning on our favorite mountain top. We are experiencing heavy cloud coverage and light rain. I have become spoiled over the last few days. The weather has been picture perfect. The high yesterday was 59º with a low of 44º. Hard to believe the weather prediction for this weekend is snow showers. If you are hiking up this weekend, you can keep an eye on the weather through this link, http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=TNZ074#.VFDT_ufzRZg.

If you are hiking up this weekend, make sure you have plenty of warm layers to change into when you reach the top. If you are day hiking and you find it is taking longer to hike up than you expect, remember, you are only half way once you reach the top. You still have to hike down. It is getting dark around 6:45. It will probably take you about an hour less then it did to hike up. Turn around if you calculate that you will not have enough day light to reach your car. We have seen a lot of day hikers on the mountain around 5:30 and when asked, they have no flashlight or experience hiking at night. Remember, these words of advice are for novice hikers. If you have small children with you, make sure you get them off the mountain in plenty of time. We do not want another case of families spending the night out in these temperatures. One other thing to remember, if you introduce your children to hiking and they have a horrible experience, you may have turned them off to the great outdoors for the rest of their lives. That would be a shame.

Chris and I will be hiking off the mountain tomorrow. We are attending the memorial service for our dear friend, David Scanlon. Ruthie and Nathan will be keeping our entertained for a while. They will update you on trail conditions. Be safe and happy hiking.

I just love the beauty of hiking in the snow. I have hiked with flurries and knee high snow. It is just such a great experience that I always will remember. Also please always carry a flashlight, we got caught in a snow storm and had to hike in the dark and without the flashlight it would have been a horrible experience.

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Kaye

10/29/2014 01:27:25 am

Got to hike to Mt. LeConte last Wednesday. Beautiful weather and our rookie hiker got to see the llamas coming down the mountain. Got to chat with Allison and Nathan. So glad to get to speak with them since neither will be on the mountain next year. Coming down the next day , my friend and I were talking about this nice man that we have seen on Alum Cave Trail who brings the paper up to staff. He showed us on one trip, where he placed his V-8 juice in a stream to enjoy when he comes back down the mountain. Sad to since read of his passing.But what a memory to have. What a wonderful place this mountain is to so many, including myself. Happy hiking to all!

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norman

10/29/2014 02:22:47 am

Where was todays picture taken? Words can not cover this picture! Has any one heard from Doug Y? Have a great day.

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Anna

10/29/2014 02:46:09 am

Norman, I sent an email. I'll let you know if I hear back from him. Nothing so far.

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norman

10/29/2014 03:24:10 am

Thanhs Anna.

Val

10/29/2014 05:28:36 am

Hi Norman, I looked and Doug has not posted anything on his page since Oct 7???

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Ronette

10/29/2014 02:35:17 am

Day hiking thru again this weekend (we spent the nite in early October). Thanks for keeping us up on the conditions and save some hot chocolate for our cold fingers! ;-) Can't wait to spend more time on our favorite mountain!

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Sharon S

10/29/2014 02:59:22 am

If you're hiking up Sunday and thereafter, it will be getting dark at 5:45 (fall back). Unless you're like my papaw...he never changed his clocks.

G'day to all ! I am most humbled by the thoughtfulness of some of the readers here for inquiring about me. Thank you very much. I have neglected my own site as well due to a couple of things including my recovery and therapy from my recent knee replacement surgery and some minor internet connectivity issues at home. The recovery is going very well but I have to admit that I vastly underestimated the pace of the recovery. But, it's going well, very well and I cannot wait to get back on my trails, and also to the lodge ! The photos of the last day or so have been truly magnificent and as always I appreciate them as well as all the comments I read on here. The fellow who passed away recently I met once and I believe that his enthusiasm for the lodge in his spirit will live on there. So many good individuals who love the lodge and support it, myself included, who make the experience such a refreshing one. It may be a bit corny when I write about how the lodge for me is a magical place, but it truly is. When I'm there I venture into a world of relaxation and calmness, and that's essentially how I feel almost anywhere in the Smokies !
I camped at Elkmont last weekend although I didn't attempt any hiking and I have never seen so many people in the Park. I addressed this on my site, however. So, g'day to all and great hiking !!!

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Debi

10/29/2014 09:52:15 am

Snow in the forcast here too. Ughh! Can you please keep it down there?
Doug, good to hear from you. And keep up on the exercises for a great successful road to recovery. My mother in law just had one replaced last spring and she followed directions to the T. Now she has back problems and surgery in the next couple of weeks.
Keep hiking so we don't fall apart. :)

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norman

10/29/2014 10:57:59 am

Good to see you back Doug!

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norman

10/29/2014 11:11:50 am

By the way Doug, I can say I was not one of the crowd the other week end. I don't like crowds myself! But that's what we have now. Have a good day.

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Amy Berqual

10/29/2014 07:55:08 am

I'm so sorry to hear about David Scanlon's passing. I did meet him when I was hiking down from my visit to the lodge. He was very kind (and carrying the NY Times for Chris!) My thoughts and prayers are with you in your grief. Lots of love to you!

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Sherleen C.

10/29/2014 01:17:35 pm

So long Alyson and Chris and I hope you will put a reply on here now and then .Good luck and best wishes . So glad to hear from you Doug.Be patient with your healing AND be a GOOD patient .Condolences for losing your all friend.Never met him,my loss.Stay warm and well everyone. :-)

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Larry P

10/29/2014 01:46:44 pm

Doug, Glad to see you back !

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William

10/29/2014 02:10:30 pm

I plan on heading up there Saturday morning for trip number 13. I've got all my gear ready for a snowy hike and I plan on starting early early.

I look forward to a warm dining hall when (and if) I get up there!

Don't worry, I plan on turning around if it gets too bad.

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Robert

10/29/2014 06:52:20 pm

I also plan on hiking up Friday or Saturday Morning. The question will be what trail head to take. Alum cave will be more of a challenge but can we make it upto 3800ft before US441 closes. Only other low elevation option is bullhead or Rainbow falls. Can you still get to Trillium Gap?Also I have experience in mountaineering and correct gear to battle conditions. Looks like Leconte Shelter is open. Sucks you cannot burn a fire up there.

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William

10/30/2014 06:38:20 am

Trillium is accessible via Cherokee Orchard Rd as it begins rough off of Rainbow Falls. I'd avoid Alum Cave due to the fact that 441 will likely close overnight.

The latest NWS map is putting the bullseye over Mt Guyot now yet is giving Leconte 8 to 12 I think. Choices choices.

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Dispatch

10/29/2014 09:27:08 pm

We hope your hike out is a good one. Thank you for posting about flashlights, and sharing the useful weather link. You guys rock! Hopefully many new day hikers read this blog and bring at least 2 light sources with them. (An iPhone does not count in the deep woods, especially when the battery dies.)

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jw

10/30/2014 01:57:11 am

WE WERE IN THE SHELTER IN MARCH FOR THE BIG SNOW, UNEXPECTED BUT IT WAS UNREAL ABOVE OUR KNEES AND 19 DEGREES!

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jw

10/30/2014 02:15:50 am

Near a foot of snow expected on the mt this weekend be prepared, we did it in march even though we were equiped for it it was brutal coming down ina foot of snow on alum!! i have great pics but cant post them!

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Donnie R.

10/30/2014 03:01:08 am

Welcome back Doug-y ! Enjoy your posts on here, as well as your own site ! I don't post often, but enjoy following nonetheless ;)

The post for today, 10/30/14, isn't up yet so while I can I'm making a comment or two on yesterday's page. It's so nice to come here and read the comments of so many nice people; it's rather like a large sort of family who share common passions for the outdoors, particularly hiking, camping, and especially the lodge. I dislike being away from access to this site sometimes, but, one can always catch up. I am not remotely qualified as a weather forecaster, but one map I viewed earlier this morning showed a patch of blue hovering directly over the Smokies with the numbers 8" - 14" superimposed over the Park ! Great Galloping Gertie !! what a wonderful time to be up on Mt. Leconte !! Sure wish I was on the trail heading up this very moment. If that prediction proves to be even partly accurate, then it will be a beautiful time on the mountain ! I hope that those that are able to be up there enjoy the possible snowfall and more importantly, are well prepared for what could arrive ! G'day and great footsteps to all !

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LeConte Lodge

Welcome to the official blog of LeConte Lodge. We hope you find the information provided here both helpful and enjoyable. Thank you for visiting the site, and we hope to see you on the mountain!